FANTASTIC FOUR #580

I never realized how deep and well-crafted Jonathan Hickman’s FF saga was until I started re-reading it.

It starts with Reed quitting finding the answer to everything to be with his family, but quickly he decides to let the kids solve everything–and to spend more time with the kid who is actually trying to solve everything.

Franklin’s disappointment at being picked over by his father (terrible drawing of his face there, by the way) turns into “future Franklin’s” willingness to do anything–even kill–to make sure that Franklin’s all over the realities have a father. That all comes later, of course.

I know the nature of retrospective analysis of comics-as-literature is bound to have spoilers, but with Hickman’s book getting there really is half the fun. Knowing where he’s going, and the major story beats, actually makes the experience richer. Kind of like when you read a good Grant Morrison story.

Anyway, this particular issue also shows us that Franklin not only has his powers back, which we already knew, but he’s figured out how to begin to use them.

And, finally, the team of genius kids cures Ben for 7 days a year. Which, ultimately, is what “kills” Human Torch.

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Maaan I only read the Fantastic Four run that did the whole Future Foundation story which is, what, like 570? I should know…I’m collecting the singles…

I didn’t realize how long Hickman was on the book. I do like that Reed likes Valeria more (since she’s smarter than him) but I love how Franklin turns out and how much Val grows to envy him. Their dynamic (past, present, future) is so so good. Hickman does a really good job of team synergy. Hell it took him until Avengers #11 to do that this time around!